How do I become a suitable person?

Applying to become a suitable person

If you would like to act as a suitable person you must make an application to us, even if you are already acting as a responsible officer. Before applying you should:

• read the criteria for being a suitable person
• talk to your own responsible officer
• call us on 0161 923 6602 so that we can assess whether you broadly meet our criteria and whether we wish to establish a suitable person for the doctor(s) you intend to act for

Where appropriate we will send you an application form. You should use the form to demonstrate how you fulfil the criteria, to illustrate your connection to your proposed cohort of doctors, and explain how you will meet your responsibilities.

There is no fee for becoming a suitable person.

How we assess your application

We’ll assess your application by checking that:

• you fulfil the criteria for a suitable person
• there is an appropriate link between you and the doctor(s) you wish to connect to

It shouldn’t take longer than two months if you provide the required supporting documentation. 

If we approve your application, we will:

• add you to the list of suitable persons on our website
• send you an email confirming you are an approved suitable person for a specific cohort or cohorts of doctors.

Adding doctors to your list

If in future you are approached by a doctor whose practice falls within your approved cohort, you can add them to your list using your GMC Connect account without needing to gain additional approval from us.

If they don’t, you will need to make a new application to us for that doctor or the cohort they belong to.

Please note that we cannot help you to find groups of doctors to be a suitable person for.